Paper-folding machine

ABSTRACT

A paper-folding machine comprising a main structure holding a table for receiving a sheet of paper to be folded. A first folding device including a plurality of parallel plates is slidably mounted on the structure and a first mold device also including a plurality of parallel plates is fastened underneath the table. The first folding device is movable into the first mold device to fold the sheet of paper positioned on the table lengthwise in zigzag manner around the front edges of the plates of the first folding and mold devices. A second folding device including a plurality of parallel plates is slidably mounted on the structure of the machine and positioned transversely of the first folding device below the table on one side of the first mold device. To complement the second folding device, a second mold device including a plurality of parallel plates is located on the other side of the first mold device and facing the second folding device. The first mold device has a window therein aligned with the second folding device whereby the second folding device may be moved through said window into the second mold device to fold the sheet of paper transversely. Finally, means responsive to a further operation of the first folding device are provided for withdrawing the sheet of paper from the second mold device and for pressing it into a final shape.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Edwin Nikitits 3760 St. JosephStreet, Lachine, Quebec, Canada [21] Appl. No. 863,591

[22] Filed Oct. 3, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 4, 1972 [54] PAPER-FOLDINGMACHINE 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 270/79, 270/39, 270/67 [51] Int. Cl B65h 45/20 [50] Field ofSearch 270/84, 85,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,545,798 3/1951 Sjostrom270/84 2,645,044 7/ 1953 Zimarik 270/85 X 2,699,936 1/1955 Dixon et al.270/84 3,241,829 3/1966 Acher 270/84 X 3,465,492 9/1969 Jensen 270/84 XPrimary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerL. R. OremlandAttorney-Raymond A. Robic ABSTRACT: A paper-folding machine comprising amain structure holding a table for receiving a sheet of paper to befolded. A first folding device including a plurality of parallel platesis slidably mounted on the structure and a first mold device alsoincluding a plurality of parallel plates is fastened underneath thetable. The first folding device is movable into the first mold device tofold the sheet of paper positioned on the table lengthwise in zigzagmanner around the front edges of the plates of the first folding andmold devices. A second folding device including a plurality of parallelplates is slidably mounted on the structure of the machine andpositioned transversely of the first folding device below the table onone side of the first mold device. To complement the second foldingdevice, a second mold device including a plurality of parallel plates islocated on the other side of the first mold device and facing the secondfolding device. The first mold device has a window therein aligned withthe second folding device whereby the second folding device may be movedthrough said window into the second mold device to fold the sheet ofpaper transversely. Finally, means responsive to a further operation ofthe first folding device are provided for withdrawing the sheet of paperfrom the second mold device and for pressing it into a final shape.

mamsm 4m 3632103 SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR Edwin mxm'rs ATTORNEY PATENTEUJAN 41972 3,'63z' 103 SHEET 2 [IF 4 iillip INVENTOR Edw'in NIKITITSATTORNEY PATENTED JAN 4 I972 SHEET H []F 4 I INVENTOR Edwin NIKITITSATTORNEY PAPER-FOLDING MACHINE The invention relates to a machine forfolding sheets of paper or the like such as, for example, drawings ordrawing prints.

Machines for folding sheets of paper first lengthwise and thentransversely have been known for some time. However, most of thesemachines are not fully automatic and still a great deal of work has tobe done manually. Consequently, sheet folding using these known machinesis time consuming and requires skilled operators.

It is therefore the main feature of the invention to provide a fullyautomatic machine for folding sheets of paper whereby a sheet is firstfolded lengthwise in zigzag manner and then transversely in the samemanner without the help of an operator except to initially start themachine and put the drawings into it.

The machine, in accordance with the invention, comprises a mainstructure holding a table for receiving a sheet of paper to be folded. Afirst folding device including a plurality of parallel plates isslidably mounted on said structure and a first mold device alsoincluding a plurality of parallel plates is fastened underneath saidtable. The first folding device is movable into the first mold device tofold the sheet of paper positioned on the table lengthwise in zigzagmanner around the front edges of the plates of the first folding andmold devices. A second folding device including a plurality of parallelplates is slidably mounted on the structure of the machine andpositioned transversely of the first folding device below the table onone side of the first mold device. To complement the second foldingdevice, a second mold device including a plurality of parallel plates islocated on the other side of the first mold device and facing the secondfolding device. The first mold device has a window therein aligned withthe second folding device whereby the second folding device may be movedthrough such window into the second mold device to fold the sheet ofpaper transversely. Finally, means responsive to a further operation ofthe first folding device are provided for withdrawing the sheet of paperfrom the second mold device and for pressing it into a final shape.

The invention will now be disclosed with reference to the accompanyingdrawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the housing of the machine;

FIG. 2 illustrates a similar perspective view of the machine but withthe housing removed;

FIG. 3 illustrates generally a longitudinal section view through themachine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial section view through the first folding andmold devices;

FIG. 5 illustrates sectional view of the machine taken along anhorizontal plane passing underneath the table;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial back view of the machine illustrated inFIG. 2 with some of its elements shown in section;

FIG. 7 illustrates a circuit diagram for the energization of the variousmotors operating the folding and pressing devices; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the operation of the folding devices inaccordance with the invention.

In FIG. 1, there is shown generally a housing 10 enclosing thepaper-folding machine and including a first window 12 at the frontthereof for inserting a sheet of paper, such as a drawing, in themachine and a second window 14, at the side of the machine, from whichthe sheet of paper comes out after having been folded and pressed in thefinal shape. The housing is also provided with ventilation screens 16two of which are shown above the window 14. In addition, controlelements 20 and 21, the elements of which will be disclosed later, areprovided at the front of the machine.

Referring into FIGS. 2 to 5, the machine comprises a structure includingfour legs 22, the two end legs of which are joined at the top by atransverse member 24. An upper table 26 and a lower table 27 are securedto legs 22. Upper table 26 is adapted to receive the sheet of paper tobe folded and includes stop means 28 and 30 for positioning said sheetof paper on the table. Two posts 32 are secured at the lower end thereofto table 27 and at the upper end thereof to transverse members 24.

A first folding device 34 is slidably mounted on posts 32 and includes aplurality of parallel plates 36, 38 and 40 adapted to move into a molddevice 42 secured underneath table 26 and including also a plurality ofparallel plates 44, 46, 48 and 50.

Means are provided for holding the sheet of paper adjacent one endthereof while the other end is free so that it may be folded when met bythe plates 36, 38 and 40 of the folding device 34. Such means comprisesa bar 52 suspended by two rods 54 slidably mounted on folding device 34between plates 38 and 40. Bar 52 is biased downwardly by spring 56 whichforces bar 52 against the edge of plate 48 thus holding the sheet ofpaper in position. A similar bar 58 is likewise suspended by rod 60between plates 36 and 38 and biased downwardly by a spring 62 againstplate 46. Bar 58 is adapted to slide easily on the sheet of paper andensures that the sheet will fold uniformly in a zigzag manner around theedges of the plates of the folding and mold devices.

Two transverse plates 66 and 68 are secured between upper table 26 andlower table 28 for holding two transverse rods 69. A second foldingdevice 70 including a plurality of parallel plates 72, 74 and 76 isslidably mounted on transverse rods 69 and adapted to move into a secondmold device 78 secured underneath table 26 and including also aplurality of parallel plates 80, 82, 84 and 86.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, means are provided underneath table 26 and oneither side of folding device 70 for preventing the natural tendency ofthe sheet of paper which is being pushed into mold device 78 to rise outof the mold device 42 when folding device 70 is operated. Such meanscomprises an arrangement of levers 88 to 91. Lever 88 is pivoted atpoint 92 between two positions limited by two stop pins 94 and 95. Inaddition, lever 88 carries a pin 96 which engages a corresponding hole98 in plate 72 when folding device 70 is at a rest position. Whenfolding device 70 is operated, lever 88 pivots around point 92 from aposition wherein it rests against stop pin 94 to a position wherein itrests against stop pin 95. The pivotal movement of lever 88 around point92, which is located closer to pin 96 than to the other end of lever 88,amplifies the movement of such other end of lever 88 and such movementis transmitted to lever through lever 89. Lever 90 is pivoted at point100 located adjacent to lever 89 and further amplifies the movement ofthe other end of lever 90 which is connected to lever 91. The abovearrangements of levers permits lever 91 to more forward a distancesufficient to overlie mold device 42 before the sheet of paper locatedtherein is moved sufficiently forward by folding device 70 to rise outof mold device 42.

Folding device 70 is also provided with means for holding one end of thesheet of paper while the other end is free so that it may be foldedtransversely when met by the plates of folding device 70. Such meanscomprises a bar 102 located between plates 72 and 74 and secured to aframe 104 which fully surrounds folding device 70. Frame 104 is securedto four angle members 106 which are slidably mounted on rods 108 securedat one end to mold device 42. A spring 110 is positioned between the endof rod 108 and the end of angle member 106 to bias frame 104 and bar 102secured thereto to a forward position. When folding device 70 is movedforward toward mold device 78, bar 102 engages plate 82 of mold device78 to hold the sheet of paper at this point while permitting theremaining portion of the sheet to fold in zigzag manner around theplates of the folding and mold devices. A similar bar 112 is secured toframe 104 between plates 74 and 76 and is biased against plate 84. Bar112 carries a roller or other means permitting sliding of the sheet ofpaper and ensures that the sheet will fold uniformly around the edges ofthe plates of the folding and mold devices.

The first folding device 34 is moved up and down on posts 32 by adriving arrangement positioned on a platform (not shown) resting on aplate 114 located above table 26. Such driving arrangement comprises avariable speed motor 120 coupled to a speed reducer 122, on the outputshaft of which is mounted a disc 124. A lever 126 is eccentricallypivoted, at one end, on disc 124 and pivotally attached, at its otherend, to a pin secured to the upper portion of folding device 34. Therotation of the disc 124 my motor 120 through speed reducer 122 causesthe up-and-down movement of folding device 34.

Similarly, folding device 70 is moved laterally along rods 69 by adriving arrangement positioned on table 27 and comprising a motor 130coupled to a speed reducer 132 on the output shaft of which is secured adisc 136. A lever 140 is secured to disc 136 and such lever is connectedto additional levers 144 and 146 in such a way that rotation of motor130 will cause a back-and-fourth movement of folding device 70 on rods69.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an arrangement for withdrawingthe sheets of paper from the second mold device 78. Such arrangementcomprises a plate 150 secured underneath table 26 and supporting twomembers 152 pivoted at point 154 on such plate 150. A roller 156 issecured to one end of each member 152 and a spring 157, located at theother end of each member 152, tends to move each roller 156 into contactwith the lower end of the sheet of paper in mold device 78. A leverarrangement is connected to each member 152 for operating each rollerand comprises a lever 158 coupled to member 152, angle lever 160 pivotedunderneath table 26 and a lever 162 attached to folding device 34. Sucharrangement of levers permit movement of each roller 156 in and out ofcontact with the sheet of paper when folding device 34 is lowered andraised respectively.

One of rollers 156 is coupled to a pulley 164 which is rotated by amotor 166 through a speed reducer 167 and a belt 168. Belt 168 isprovided with a tightening device secured to the machine and comprisinga lever 170 pivoted at point 172, one end of said lever carrying aroller 174 in contact with belt 168 while a spring 176 is attached toits other end for tightening belt 168 on pulley 164.

The operation of motors 120, 130 and 166 to ensure automatic operationof the machine is controlled by the circuit diagram of FIG. 7. A sourceof power E providing alternating current at 1 l V. and 60 cycles persecond is connected to a main switch MS through fuses F which may behoused in a box located at the back of the machine and illustrated inFIG. 2 of the drawings by reference numeral 180. Main switch MS isclosed when the machine is installed and normally remains closed. Whenit is desired to operate the machine, switch SW is closed to turn onpilot light PL 1. The machine is now ready for operation and operatesautomatically, upon pressing pushbutton PB 1, under the control ofvarious limit switches LS 1 to LS 7 located on the structure of themachine and shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. Upon pressing pushbutton PB 1(also shown in FIG. 1), a circuit is closed through normally closedlimit switches LS 6 and LS 7 to energize motor 120 through speed controlbox CB 1. Limit switch LS 1 associated with disc 124 of motor 120 isclosed shortly after the motor is energized and remains closed untildisc 124 has completed one rotation and folding device 34 returned toits starting position. Limit switch LS l is then open and motor 120deenergized. The folded sheet of paper is then located in mold device 42(see FIG. 3) and limit switch LS 3 located at bottom thereof is closed.Limit switch LS 2 is also closed when the folding device 34 returns toits original position and motor 130 is then energized through limitswitches LS 2 and LS 3 and control box CB 2. Limit switch LS 4,associated with disc 136 of motor 130, is closed shortly after motor 130is energized to bypass limit switches LS 3 and LS 4 and maintains motor130 energized until folding device 70 has returned to its originalposition. When folding device 34 is operated for a second time, limitswitch LS 5 is closed and motor 166 is energized to withdraw the foldedsheet of paper from the mold device 78 and to shape it in its finalform.

Limit switches LS 6 and LS 7 are associated with each of the levers 91and prevent energization of motor 120 when one or both levers 91 are notback to their test position, thus preven ting any damage to such leversby the operation of folding device 34.

Limit switch LS 8 is located on table 26 at the back of the machine andis closed when a sheet of paper is positioned on table 26. The closureof limit switch LS 8 energizes pilot light PL 2 located at the front ofthe machine (see FIG. I) to indicate that the machine is ready foroperation.

Speed control boxes CB 1 and CB 2 are of the type known in the art andare used to control the speed of motors and by turning a knob such asknob 182 of controi element 20 in FIG. 1. Switch PB 2 is used foremergency stopping of the machine.

The operation of the machine will now be disclosed more particularlywith reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings. After having introduceda sheet of paper in the machine through window 12 and having positionedthe sheet of paper on the table 26 by means of stop elements 28 and 30,the operator presses pushbutton PB 1 to start the operation of themachine. Motor 120 is energized and folding device 34 is lowered intomold device 42 to fold the sheet of paper positioned on the table 26lengthwise in a zigzag manner around the edges of the plates of foldingdevice 34 and mold device 42. Folding device 34 is subsequently returnedto its original position leaving the sheet of paper in mold device 42 asillustrated in FIG. 8. Motor 130 is then energized automatically, asexplained previously, to move folding device 70 into mold device 78 tocause the sheet of paper, which has already been folded lengthwise to befolded transversely in a zigzag manner around the edges of the plates ofthe folding device 70 and mold device 78.

Referring to FIG. 9, it may be seen that, in order to ensure folding ofa sheet of paper both lengthwise and transversely, the sheet of paper isheld at point P 1 adjacent one edge of the sheet while it is permittedto slide underneath a second point P 2. This ensures an even folding ofthe sheet of paper.

Upon the subsequent operation of folding device 34, the two rollersmounted underneath the mold device 78 are moved into contact with thelower edge of the folded sheet in mold 78. The sheet of paper is thewithdrawn of the mold 78 and pressed in its final shape.

I claim:

1. A machine for folding sheet of paper or the like comprismg:

a. a structure holding a table for receiving a sheet of paper to befolded;

b. a first folding device including a plurality of parallel platesslidably mounted on said structure;

0. a first mold device positioned below said table and including aplurality of parallel plates in between which the plates of said firstfolding device are moved to fold the sheet of paper positioned on saidtabIe lengthwise around the edges of the plates of said first foldingand mold devices; V

d. means for reciprocating said first folding device into and out ofsaid first mold device;

e. a second folding device including a plurality of parallel platesslidably mounted on said structure and positioned transversely of saidfirst folding device below said table on one side of said first molddevice; a second mold device including a plurality of parallel plateslocated on the other side of said first mold device, said first molddevice having a window therein aligned with said second mold devicewhereby said second folding device is moved through said window intosaid second mold device to fold the sheet of paper transversely of thefirst fold formed therein;

g. means for reciprocating said second folding device into and out ofsaid second mold device, said second folding device being adapted tomake a single reciprocation immediately after a single reciprocation ofsaid first folding device; and

h. means responsive to each reciprocation of said first folding devicefor withdrawing said sheet of paper from said second mold device and forpressing it into a final shape.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising stop meanslocated on said table for engaging the edge of said sheet to positionthe sheet on the table.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising means locatedbetween two adjacent plates of said folding devices for holding saidsheet at a point adjacent to one edge of the sheet while the remainingportion of the sheet is free so that it may be folded when met by theplates of the folding devices.

4. A machine as defined in claim 3, further comprising means forslidably holding the remaining portion of the sheet so that it will folduniformly around the edges of the plates of the folding and molddevices.

5. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising slidable meansresponsive to operation of said second folding device for preventing thefolded sheet of paper located in the first mold device from rising outof said first mold device when the second folding device is operated.

6. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising a first and asecond means for driving said first and second folding devicesrespectively.

7. A machine as defined in claim 6, wherein said first means comprisesan electric motor, a speed reducer coupled to said motor, a disc coupledto said speed reducer, and lever means eccentrically mounted on saiddisc and attached to said first folding device for lowering and raisingthe same into and from said first mold device.

8. A machine as defined in claim 6, wherein said second means comprisesan electric motor, a seed reducer coupled to said motor, a disc coupledto said speed reducer and lever means interconnecting said disc and saidsecond folding device for moving said second folding device into saidsecond mold device.

9. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for withdrawingsaid sheet of paper comprises a pair of rollers mounted underneath saidsecond mold device, lever means operatively connected to said firstfolding device for permitting movement of said rollers into contact withthe folded sheets of paper, and a motor for driving said rollers topress the folded sheet of paper.

10. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising first and secondmotors for driving said first and second folding devices respectively, athird motor for driving said means for withdrawing the sheet of paper,and an electrical circuit including limit switches responsive topredetermined positions of said folding devices for sequentiallyoperating said first, second and third electric motors.

k t =t

1. A machine for folding sheets of paper or the like comprising: a. astructure holding a table for receiving a sheet of paper to be folded;b. a first folding device including a plurality of parallel platesslidably mounted on said structure; c. a first mold device positionedbelow said table and including a plurality of parallel plates in betweenwhich the plates of said first folding device are moved to fold thesheet of paper positioned on said table lengthwise around the edges ofthe plates of said first folding and mold devices; d. means forreciprocating said first folding device into and out of said first molddevice; e. a second folding device including a plurality of parallelplates slidably mounted on said structure and positioned transversely ofsaid first folding device below said table on one side of said firstmold device; f. a second mold device including a plurality of parallelplates located on the other side of said first mold device, said firstmold device having a window therein aligned with said second mold devicewhereby said second folding device is moved through said window intosaid second mold device to fold the sheet of paper transversely of thefirst fold formed therein; g. means for reciprocating said secondfolding device into and out of said second mold device, said secondfolding device being adapted to make a single reciprocation immediatelyafter a single reciprocation of said first folding device; and h. meansresponsive to each reciprocation of said first folding device forwithdrawing said sheet of paper from said second mold device and forpressing it into a final shape.
 2. A machine as defined in claim 1,further comprising stop means located on said table for engaging theedge of said sheet to position the sheet on the table.
 3. A machine asdefined in claim 1, further comprising means located between twoadjacent plates of said folding devices for holding said sheet at apoint adjacent to one edge of the sheet while the remaining portion ofthe sheet is free so that it may be folded when met by the plates of thefolding devices.
 4. A machine as defined in claim 3, further comprisingmeans for slidably holding the remaining portion of the sheet so that itwill fold uniformly around the edges of the plates of the folding andmold devices.
 5. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprisingslidable means responsive to operation of said second folding device forpreventing the folded sheet of paper located in the first mold devicefrom rising out of said first mold device when the second folding deviceis operated.
 6. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising afirst and a second means for driving said first and second foldingdevices respectively.
 7. A machine as defined in claim 6, wherein saidfirst means comprises an electric motor, a speed reducer coupled to saidmotor, a disc coupled to said speed reducer, and lever meanseccentrically mounted on said disc and attached to saiD first foldingdevice for lowering and raising the same into and from said first molddevice.
 8. A machine as defined in claim 6, wherein said second meanscomprises an electric motor, a seed reducer coupled to said motor, adisc coupled to said speed reducer and lever means interconnecting saiddisc and said second folding device for moving said second foldingdevice into said second mold device.
 9. A machine as defined in claim 1,wherein said means for withdrawing said sheet of paper comprises a pairof rollers mounted underneath said second mold device, lever meansoperatively connected to said first folding device for permittingmovement of said rollers into contact with the folded sheets of paper,and a motor for driving said rollers to press the folded sheet of paper.10. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising first and secondmotors for driving said first and second folding devices respectively, athird motor for driving said means for withdrawing the sheet of paper,and an electrical circuit including limit switches responsive topredetermined positions of said folding devices for sequentiallyoperating said first, second and third electric motors.